The fetal heart rate is a significant aspect of prenatal care as it reflects the development of the fetus， providing important information about fetal well-being. A normal fetal heart rate varies throughout pregnancy from 120 to 160 beats per minute (BPM)， but the ideal fetal heart rate at 12 weeks should be between 120 to 160 BMP.
During the first trimester， the fetal heart rate can be accurately detected through an ultrasound scan. The fetal heart starts to form at around 3 weeks after conception and by 5-6 weeks， the heart is functional， and the fetal heart rate can be detected on an ultrasound scan， commonly referred to as Early Pregnancy Scan or Viability Scan. At 12 weeks， a fetal heart rate of 120-160 beats per minute is considered normal， which means the fetus is developing well.
An abnormal heart rate can indicate a problem with the fetus or pregnancy， such as fetal distress or growth restriction. If a fetal heart rate is too low or too high， it may indicate the need for further medical attention. Fetal heart rate monitoring can identify a variety of complications that can occur during pregnancy， including preeclampsia， gestational diabetes， fetal anemia， and fetal distress.
Overall， it is essential to pay close attention to fetal heart rate during pregnancy， especially during the first 12 weeks when the fetal heart is still in the developmental stage. To ensure optimum fetal health， it is recommended that pregnant women have regular prenatal checkups with their healthcare provider， including routine fetal heart rate monitoring throughout pregnancy. This way， any potential complications can be detected and managed promptly， ensuring the best possible outcome for both the mother and the baby.
